Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin introduces a state pension reform plan during a press conference at the Capitol. On left is Speaker of the House Jeff Hoover. Oct . 18, 2017.(Photo: By Pat McDonogh / C-J)Buy Photo

As the controversy grew over a secret sexual harassment settlement between Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover and a woman on his staff, lawmakers from both parties agreed with demands that anyone involved in the settlement resign.

Rep. Jeff Donohue, D-Fairdale, said it is right to call for resignations.

"As elected officials, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard," Donohue said.

Eight Republican House members joined Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, Saturday demanding resignations of that anyone involved in a the confidential settlement of sexual harassment allegations.

"We call for the immediate resignation of all members involved in the confidential settlement of allegations of misconduct with legislative staff," the statement of the eight House members said. It also called on any House member who participated in the underlying conduct or sought to conceal it to resign as well.

The statement followed Bevin's call for lawmakers "who have settled a sexual harassment claim" to resign.

"These alleged actions, which haven’t been denied, are reprehensible, indefensible and unacceptable," Bevin said. "Any elected official or state employee who has settled a sexual harassment claim should resign immediately."

Bevin's words were his first on a scandal involving House members since Courier Journal revealed Wednesday night that Hoover had secretly settled a sexual harassment allegation, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified because they fear reprisal.

Kentucky House Democratic Leader Rocky Adkins joined the call, saying in a statement Saturday that "those individuals who have been proven to have engaged in harassing conduct or anything else improper should do the right thing and resign from their positions.”

"In light of these situations, the right thing to do is to step down," said Donohue, the Fairdale Democrat. "Everyone should be treated with respect. If we cross that line, the right thing to do is to resign and move forward."

Rep. Jim Wayne, D- Louisville, said he agrees with Bevin.

"I applaud the governor, and we're on the same page," said Wayne, who has sparred with Bevin in the past. "We need to guarantee a safe work environment. ... Those people to whom he addressed his comments will take to heart what he said."

Kathy Brannan Sargeant, chairwoman of Hardin County Republican Party, also rallied behind Bevin and called for Hoover to step down immediately.

"How dare anyone embarrass the Republican Party and damage all of the hard work that was done by so many over the span of almost 100 years to become the super majority!" Sargeant said in an email. "The charges of these specific repulsive actions, if accurate are unacceptable, indefensible and have no place in our leadership or our Party."

But Rep. Dan Johnson, a Mount Washington Republican, said the governor was being self-righteous.